The Stories of Scott D. Southard

March 28, 2015

New Goodreads Book Giveaway! Two will win an autographed copy of Permanent Spring Showers
“Readers eager to read an unconventional tale told in an unconventional way will love this book… A very ambitious undertaking that shows great courage and creativity on Scott’s part. Bravo, Scott.” -The Booknatics

Hey, want something cool?

There is a new book giveaway on Goodreads for Permanent Spring Showers right now! Two will win a copy of my new book, and I will even autograph it. Why? Because I am a nice guy. Here is the back cover description of this funny, unpredictable (possibly crazy), and sexy book:

Professor Rebecca Stanley-Wilson is having a very bad season. Her husband has just admitted to having an affair. And it was with one of her students.

Blame it on a desire for revenge (or way too much alcohol), she then has had one of her own. Unfortunately for her, her affair was with one of the great upcoming painters of his generation. The ramifications of that one torrid evening will not only be felt across her life but over the entire art world.

Sexy, funny, and very surprising, Permanent Spring Showers is the tale of one very memorable springtime and how it impacts a group of unique artists and dreamers. From the writer who is creating a new literary movement (through outright manipulation), to the hopeful Olympian with the failing marriage, to the romantic wondering what he did wrong to drive his love from him, each tale walks the line between reality and fantasy. And waiting at the end of the line is a very important painting… and possibly the revolver used in the Lincoln Assassination.

You can enter the giveaway by clicking below:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Permanent Spring Showers

by Scott D. Southard

Giveaway ends April 21, 2015.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win
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March 26, 2015

“I want you to see me at my worst first” An Excerpt from PERMANENT SPRING SHOWERS
Today, I have the honor of sharing a selection from my new novel Permanent Spring Showers. This is the second excerpt that has appeared on the site (the first you can find by clicking here). And stay tuned to the end, where there are links to where you can snag a copy of my latest novel.

This is from the second chapter in which you meet Steve, our romantic. And he wants you to meet him at his worst…

Chapter 2
The Restaurant Meeting, Part 2

I almost considered starting with “Call me Steve,” but I realized—even with my education primarily being in architecture—that was in literary terms, a bad idea. You don’t want a bar like that; I am not Ishmael. Not even close, and while there is something akin to a white whale in my hearty tale, there is no Ahab. I’ll get to the whale in a bit though, and there are harpoons thrown in a way.

So what does a person need at the start of a story?

Christ, I thought I would be better than this. Facts!

I am 24, I am trying to make a living as an architect, but if you spoke to the people in my office they wouldn’t believe it. They think I am training to make coffee all day or take notes at boring meetings or something. But really, that isn’t important.

Let’s see… my hairline is disappearing a little faster than I would have hoped by this age. Maybe that is not crucial information, but it does feel that way to me each morning after I shower. I live in a small studio apartment, nothing spectacular. Actually, it is so tiny and drab that I find it depressing to come home to each night, especially since Anna left.

Anna…

Well, I am single, that feels more important than the hair or the apartment. Oh and it’s not by my choice, and that is important as well. Let’s get that out of the way. (more…)
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March 20, 2015

This and the Other Thing: A Writing Update
So this is my life right now.

I got this book. I can’t really talk about it. I mean, it’s still being created. It’s fresh, still new, like a babe. Let’s call it SB for Secret Book. This book has taken over a good part of my daily thoughts, and I’ve spent the last few evenings just working on it.

SB has also entered my dreams. No seriously, I’ve had two dreams with it and both moments ended up in the book.

This is the part of writing that I love about writing. The pure joy of creation, not being bogged down in marketing, query letters (to agents and publishers), etc. Just me and a blank piece of paper. Nothing but possibility.

The only thing I can compare the feeling to is back when I used to play jazz. For me it was the saxophone (alto and soprano), and there is this wild feeling of freedom once you know a song and its chords. That confidence that you are on this, you are in control and you can take the song wherever you want. There is pure improv possibility at that moment. It’s a flash of lightning, controlled energy.

That… right there, is what putting together a first draft feels like for me. And I’m in the midst of it. That is the smile on my face.

Hello. (more…)
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March 18, 2015

New WKAR Book Review: Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Recently on WKAR’s Current State, I discussed another Michigan Notable Book. This time the horror novel Bird Box by Josh Malerman (I still have nightmares around this one).

You can listen to my review here: http://wkar.org/post/book-review-josh-malermans-bird-box

If you would rather read my review, you can do so below.

You can find the novel on Amazon.com here. If you want to check out my other book reviews for WKAR’s Current State, you can do so via links on this page.

I hope you enjoy my new review! (more…)
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March 18, 2015

Fiona Apple and the new book Permanent Spring Showers. A guest post on the Undercover Soundtrack.
Today I have a guest post on the very cool site The Undercover Soundtrack. If you haven’t visit the site, you should. Writers discuss their musical inspiration and “soundtrack” in the writing of their work. I was on the site before, writing about the music behind A Jane Austen Daydream (which you can check out here). In this post I take on the soundtrack of Permanent Spring Showers, my latest book.

Here is an excerpt from the beginning:

Music can be like little time capsules. For some, they may return you to younger days, for me they return me to books. Whenever I take on a project, my creative psyche demands that I find the right soundtrack for it. And if I don’t, I might as well kiss that creative spirit goodbye. They flounder, gasping and dying like a fish out of water.

When I began work on my novel Permanent Spring Showers I knew I was doing something a little odd. It was a book very loosely based on a screenplay I had written years earlier, but this was going to be a very different work, not an easy adaptation. Also, I was going to present it chapter by chapter on my site. I liked to call it then a book in real time since you could enjoy the book and witness the creation of it as well. Yet, it was even more than that. Since I wasn’t bogging myself down in thoughts of sales, agents, and publishers, I was opening the door for sheer possibility. I could do anything, only limited by my own imagination.

It was so creatively exhilarating to throw off the shackles that so many of us feel when creating. And, adding in the danger that I could screw it up at any moment (for everyone to see) was just as thrilling. I was playing with literary fire. Luckily, I never felt alone in the flames.

In the article I break down the relationship between Fiona Apple’s most recent CD (which is awesome, by the way) and the book. You can check out the entire article here.

Permanent Spring Showers was published by 5 Prince Books and is available on all online book retailers. Out in both print and eBook, you can find it on amazon.com here. The eBook is on sale for only $3.99.

You can read a sample and learn more about the book via this page. Grab a copy today!
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March 17, 2015

Guest Post Tomorrow on the Undercover Soundtrack!
Tomorrow, I’ll be on the Undercover Soundtrack to talk about the musical influences behind my new novel Permanent Spring Showers. There is a preview post on the site today, introducing it and the rock artist I will be talking about. You can check it out here.

The preview is called “Demons, Frustrations, and Betrayal.” (Damn good title for an exciting book too, if you ask me.)

This is the second time, I’ve appeared on this fun series. The first time was to discuss the musical impact of Belle and Sebastian on A Jane Austen Daydream. I called Belle and Sebastian the perfect band for writers, and I still stand by that statement. You can check out that older post here.

I hope you tune in tomorrow to check it out!
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March 16, 2015

Talking about new book Permanent Spring Showers with the Booknatics (and a book giveaway too!)
Today, I’m back on the Booknatics, this time being interviewed about my new novel Permanent Spring Showers!

In the interview we took on a lot of different topics, including A Jane Austen Daydream (and the idea of a sequel), other novels, and my love of music. It was a lot of fun, I hope you will chime in.

You can check out this new interview here: http://thebooknatics.blogspot.com/2015/03/interview-with-scott-d-southard-author.html

Last week, the Booknatics reviewed the new novel (which led to them asking for the interview) and it started a book giveaway. One lucky commenter will win an autographed copy. Visit and enter today. Thank Sky for the chance to talk to you and your followers!

Permanent Spring Showers was published by 5 Prince Books and is available on all online book retailers. Out in both print and eBook, you can find it on amazon.com here. The eBook is on sale for only $3.99.

You can read a sample and learn more about the book via this page.
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March 14, 2015

A Q and A with Deborah Kalb about new book Permanent Spring Showers
Recently, I gave an interview on author Deborah Kalb’s website about my new novel Permanent Spring Showers!

We talked about inspiration, the unique writing process I took with this literary fiction work, and the sparks behind the story. I hope you will check it out.

You can find the interview here. Thanks Deborah for the opportunity!

There is also a book giveaway still going on at The Booknatics. You can check out a book review and learn how to enter to win an autographed copy at their site here.

Permanent Spring Showers was published by 5 Prince Books and is available on all online book retailers. Out in both print and eBook, you can find it on amazon.com here. The eBook is on sale for only $3.99.

You can read a sample and learn more about the book via this page.
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March 12, 2015

The Pains and Conflicts in the Drop-Off
This was a battle I walked away from.

To understand the gravity of this for me, you have to know a little about how my brain functions. Typically, I am not the kind of guy to lose an argument, surrender a point. I’m one of those who will hold on like a dog with a chew toy, and this is especially true if I know I am in the right.

And I definitely know I was in the right! So, so right.

Actually, to correct that, I should say left, since what we are talking about are car lanes.

To put it more bluntly, dropping my kid off at his school is a piece of hell. Let me repeat that, hell (devil, pointy ears and tails, flames, the whole bit).

I’m not talking about the emotional aspect of the separation, that was there for a bit (and always resides a little beneath the surface), but other less pleasant feelings than the accepted sadness in watching your kids grow up. No, I am talking about stress, frustration, and sometimes anger.

…And I know other parents feel that way towards me. (more…)
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March 10, 2015

The Booknatics give a standing ovation to the new novel Permanent Spring Showers! (A giveaway too!)
Okay, I am honestly loving this!

The Booknatics just gave a great review of my new novel Permanent Spring Showers. Here is an excerpt of what they say about the book:

What a ride this book was! I can honestly say it was an inspiring novel, and very unique! With a cast of lively, artistic characters and a spin so hard it will leave your eyes wide and jaw hanging until the very last word… Standing ovation to Mr. Southard for a brilliant piece of work!

You can check out the entire review here (I also agreed to give an interview on the site, which will appear next week).

Also, there is a book giveaway on the page of my new offering. One lucky reader will win an autographed copy of the work. Just visit the page for more info! The book giveaway on Julie Valerie’s website is still going on as well (only a few more days). You can check out her review and enter that one as well here.

Permanent Spring Showers was published by 5 Prince Books and is available on all online book retailers. Out in both print and eBook, you can find it on amazon.com here. The eBook is on sale for only $3.99.

You can read a sample and learn more about the book via this page on the site.
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